Temitope Adeogun
The US is to send 1,500 more non-combat troops to Iraq to boost Iraqi forces fighting Islamic State, IS, militants.
The latest deployment will more than double the US presence in Iraq.
President Barack Obama authorised the deployment following a request from Iraq’s government.
IS militants control large areas of Iraq and Syria but have been targeted by hundreds of air strikes by a US-led coalition since August.
The 1,500 additional US troops will join the 1,600 military advisers that are already in Iraq to assist the country’s army.
“US troops will not be in combat, but they will be better positioned to support Iraqi security forces as they take the fight” to IS, White House spokesman, Josh Earnest said.
He added that President Obama would also be asking Congress for $5.6bn (£3.5bn) to support the ongoing operations against IS fighters in both Iraq and Syria.
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